India is currently facing a stern challenge in the Guwahati Test against South Africa, with the team needing an unprecedented batting effort to save the match and keep the series alive.

The key statistic highlighting the monumental task ahead is this: Team India has not batted for 100 overs in the fourth innings of a Test match played on home soil in the last 25 years.

The Mountain India Must Climb

To avoid defeat or force a draw in Guwahati, India must achieve this defensive milestone. The current situation suggests that doing so will require an incredible, miraculous effort from the Indian batsmen.

• The 25-Year Drought: Playing 100 overs in the fourth innings at home would break a long-standing pattern of relatively quick finishes when India bats last in a home Test.

• The Last Closest Effort: The last time India came close to this mark in India was in 2008 against England, where they batted for 98.3 overs in the fourth innings during a successful run chase in Chennai.

• Overall Recent Best: India's best recent fourth-innings batting longevity was the heroic effort of 131 overs during the draw against Australia in the Sydney Test in 2021—but that was an away fixture.

Current Match Scenario (As of Day 4, Post-Lunch)

The current match situation in Guwahati underlines the difficulty of the task:

• South Africa secured a massive 288-run lead after bowling India out for 201 in the first innings (in response to SA's 489).

• South Africa opted not to enforce the follow-on and, as of Day 4 post-lunch, has extended their overall lead to over 500 runs, effectively batting India out of the match.

Given the pitch conditions and the recent collapses of the Indian batting line-up, achieving the 100-over target in the fourth innings appears highly unlikely, making a South African series victory a strong possibility.